Latest news with #Classic
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Lambourn aiming to join list of Ballydoyle greats
'He's a lovely horse and like Australia himself, an absolute gentleman,' said O'Brien. 'He has a great mind, stays well and is uncomplicated. He's a lovely horse to do anything with and he's just one of those very unique horses – he's scopey and classy and obviously we were delighted with him in Epsom. Aidan O'Brien with Lambourn at Epsom (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA) 'Wayne (Lordan) gave him a beautiful ride at Epsom and Ryan (Moore) rode him the same in Chester – he rode him forward. He won his races doing that last year and when you have a horse like that who is not held hostage to any other horse in the race or anything, he's just so straightforward. 'Australia was the only horse we ever had here with no fight or flight response and this horse is the same. When you put him in first gear he stays in first gear and second gear is the same and third, fourth up along. 'He's not influenced by any of his surroundings or any horse around him – he's a total independent thinker and those type of horses are really a pleasure to deal with.' It was Joseph O'Brien who was aboard Lambourn's sire Australia for his father when he secured dual Derby honours in 2014 and he will now seek to win the race for a second time as a trainer with Epsom third Tennessee Stud after Latrobe's success in 2018. Tennessee Stud leaving the parade ring at Epsom (Adam Morgan/PA) 'We were very proud of Tennessee Stud's run in Epsom. He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong,' said O'Brien. 'The plan was to come back to the Curragh and his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn. 'I think Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off, he came forward a lot from that run in Epsom where he ran a career best and we'd love if he could run another career best in the Curragh.' Ralph Beckett knows what it is like to win the Irish Derby following Epsom disappointment, having seen Westover gain Classic compensation on the Curragh in 2022, and will hope to see his Dante scorer Pride Of Arras bounce back after misfiring in his first shot at Classic glory. Pride Of Arras remains unbeaten to win the @ABE_Dubai Dante Stakes at 18/1! The Lion In Winter finishes sixth on his return at @yorkracecourse @RalphBeckett | @Rossaryan15 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2025 One of two in the race for Beckett alongside Cocked Hat runner-up Sir Dinadan, the Pride Of Arras team are firmly retaining belief in the talented son of New Bay and feel a trip to the Curragh could inspire a return to the sparkling form he showed previously at York. 'You would think Lambourn will try to do similar to what he did at Epsom, we've just got to try and see if we can get closer,' said Patrick Cooper, owners David and Vimy Aykroyd's racing manager. 'The Curragh is one of the great racecourses in the world and the track at the Curragh is as good as there is anywhere – it will suit everyone and there is no horse who isn't suited by the Curragh. 'When you have a good horse like this you have to enjoy it and he showed us how good he was in the Dante, so we're entitled to keep dreaming.' Green Impact ahead of his Irish Derby challenge this weekend (Alan Magee/PA) Also taking their second crack at Classic glory is Jessica Harrington's Green Impact, who bounced back from his sixth in the 2000 Guineas to take the Glencairn Stakes earlier this month, with connections now keen to explore a mile and a half with the son of Wootton Bassett. Harrington said: 'At the time I was disappointed about the Guineas, but on reflection it wasn't a bad run and then he went on to win well at Leopardstown last time. After that it was a case of all roads lead to the Irish Derby. 'I think he'll stay. He's by Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare and is very laid back and relaxed. He's a big, long-striding horse and the Curragh should suit him.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Lambourn aiming to join list of Ballydoyle greats
O'Brien has won the Curragh showpiece a record 16 times, including in the past two seasons with Auguste Rodin (2023) and Los Angeles (2024), and now Lambourn will bid to replicate his sire Australia by following up blue riband success from Epsom on home soil. 'He's a lovely horse and like Australia himself, an absolute gentleman,' said O'Brien. 'He has a great mind, stays well and is uncomplicated. He's a lovely horse to do anything with and he's just one of those very unique horses – he's scopey and classy and obviously we were delighted with him in Epsom. Aidan O'Brien with Lambourn at Epsom (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA) 'Wayne (Lordan) gave him a beautiful ride at Epsom and Ryan (Moore) rode him the same in Chester – he rode him forward. He won his races doing that last year and when you have a horse like that who is not held hostage to any other horse in the race or anything, he's just so straightforward. 'Australia was the only horse we ever had here with no fight or flight response and this horse is the same. When you put him in first gear he stays in first gear and second gear is the same and third, fourth up along. 'He's not influenced by any of his surroundings or any horse around him – he's a total independent thinker and those type of horses are really a pleasure to deal with.' It was Joseph O'Brien who was aboard Lambourn's sire Australia for his father when he secured dual Derby honours in 2014 and he will now seek to win the race for a second time as a trainer with Epsom third Tennessee Stud after Latrobe's success in 2018. Tennessee Stud leaving the parade ring at Epsom (Adam Morgan/PA) 'We were very proud of Tennessee Stud's run in Epsom. He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong,' said O'Brien. 'The plan was to come back to the Curragh and his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn. 'I think Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off, he came forward a lot from that run in Epsom where he ran a career best and we'd love if he could run another career best in the Curragh.' Ralph Beckett knows what it is like to win the Irish Derby following Epsom disappointment, having seen Westover gain Classic compensation on the Curragh in 2022, and will hope to see his Dante scorer Pride Of Arras bounce back after misfiring in his first shot at Classic glory. Pride Of Arras remains unbeaten to win the @ABE_Dubai Dante Stakes at 18/1! The Lion In Winter finishes sixth on his return at @yorkracecourse @RalphBeckett | @Rossaryan15 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2025 One of two in the race for Beckett alongside Cocked Hat runner-up Sir Dinadan, the Pride Of Arras team are firmly retaining belief in the talented son of New Bay and feel a trip to the Curragh could inspire a return to the sparkling form he showed previously at York. 'You would think Lambourn will try to do similar to what he did at Epsom, we've just got to try and see if we can get closer,' said Patrick Cooper, owners David and Vimy Aykroyd's racing manager. 'The Curragh is one of the great racecourses in the world and the track at the Curragh is as good as there is anywhere – it will suit everyone and there is no horse who isn't suited by the Curragh. 'When you have a good horse like this you have to enjoy it and he showed us how good he was in the Dante, so we're entitled to keep dreaming.' Green Impact ahead of his Irish Derby challenge this weekend (Alan Magee/PA) Also taking their second crack at Classic glory is Jessica Harrington's Green Impact, who bounced back from his sixth in the 2000 Guineas to take the Glencairn Stakes earlier this month, with connections now keen to explore a mile and a half with the son of Wootton Bassett. Harrington said: 'At the time I was disappointed about the Guineas, but on reflection it wasn't a bad run and then he went on to win well at Leopardstown last time. After that it was a case of all roads lead to the Irish Derby. 'I think he'll stay. He's by Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare and is very laid back and relaxed. He's a big, long-striding horse and the Curragh should suit him.'
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Lazy Griff all set for a third crack at Lambourn in Irish Derby
A Group Three winner in France at the end of his juvenile campaign, Lazy Griff made his return to action in last month's Chester Vase and emerged with plenty of credit in finishing second to Lambourn, earning him a shot at the Betfred Derby at Epsom. Johnston's charge was a widely unconsidered 50-1 shot for the premier Classic, but belied those odds with an excellent effort to again finish best of the rest behind Aidan O'Brien's front-running colt and round three will take place at the Curragh this weekend. 𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐘! — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 7, 2025 'It wasn't an easy decision to come to, perhaps the Grand Prix de Paris might have been an easier challenge and we certainly wouldn't have been taking on a horse that's already beaten us twice, but the lure of the Irish Derby was too strong to turn down,' said Johnston. 'We're under no illusions about the task in hand because it is two-nil to Lambourn, but having said that we weren't afraid to have another go at him. 'It'll be interesting to see how the race pans out. You can't take anything away from Lambourn and what he did at Epsom at all, but at the same time he was given a very good front-running ride and we all maybe gave him a little bit too much rope on the front end. 'Sunday is going to be a different day on a different track with a different field and we're more than happy to have another go and see what we can do to reverse the form.' Christophe Soumillon was on board Lazy Griff at Epsom, but as the French-based Belgian is required to partner Goliath in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Johnston has turned to William Buick to ride his stable star in his bid for Classic glory. He added: 'Obviously it's a shame as Goliath and Lazy Griff are probably Christophe's two marquee horses for the season at the moment and it's sod's law that they're both running on the same day. 'It's a shame for him, but we're able to bring William in who is obviously top-class but will also be very confident at the moment after a great Royal Ascot, it's a great replacement to call upon.' Lazy Griff and Lambourn feature in a 10-strong field following Friday's declaration stage, with Aidan O'Brien also saddling Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master and Gallinule Stakes scorer Thrice, as well as Serious Contender and Shackleton, both of whom performed well in defeat at Royal Ascot. His son Joseph runs Derby third Tennessee Stud, while Green Impact is a fascinating contender for Jessica Harrington on what will be his first attempt at a mile and a half. Ralph Beckett's Dante winner Pride Of Arras bids to bounce back from Epsom disappointment, with his stablemate Sir Dinadan completing the line-up.
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Classic heroes and Arc angel Rheingold on the list of Barry Hills giants
Further Flight Not the classiest performer Hills ever trained, but arguably the most popular and certainly the most hardy. Racing from 1988 to 1998, the grey won 24 of his 70 races, including top staying races such as the Goodwood Cup and Ebor. However, he is best remembered for winning the Jockey Club at Newmarket five years in a row (1991 to 1995). Haafhd Haafhd bridged a 10-year gap without Classic success for Hills in 2004 when landing the 2000 Guineas, ridden by his son, Richard. Haafhd clearly saved his best for Newmarket, as he had earlier won the Craven Stakes and ended his career that autumn with victory in the Champion Stakes. Moonax The most unlikely of Hills' Classic winners was Moonax when he took the St Leger at odds of 40-1. In the expert hands of Pat Eddery, the enigmatic colt defeated none other than Broadway Flyer, trained by Hills' son, John, and ridden by another son, Michael. Moonax showed that victory was no fluke by following up in the French St Leger a month later. Rheingold The best horse Barry Hills ever trained came early in his career. Rheingold almost gave him a Derby triumph, but he was just touched off by Roberto in 1972. However, a year later the colt ran out an impressive winner of Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, beating the brilliant Allez France by two and a half lengths. Tap On Wood Hills' first major success at Newmarket came with Tap On Wood in the 1979 2000 Guineas, as he upstaged hot favourite Kris in the hands of Steve Cauthen. The young American had recently been enticed to Britain at the request of Robert Sangster and showed his prowess by driving Tap On Wood home by half a length.
Rhyl Journal
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Classic heroes and Arc angel Rheingold on the list of Barry Hills giants
Further Flight Not the classiest performer Hills ever trained, but arguably the most popular and certainly the most hardy. Racing from 1988 to 1998, the grey won 24 of his 70 races, including top staying races such as the Goodwood Cup and Ebor. However, he is best remembered for winning the Jockey Club at Newmarket five years in a row (1991 to 1995). Haafhd Haafhd bridged a 10-year gap without Classic success for Hills in 2004 when landing the 2000 Guineas, ridden by his son, Richard. Haafhd clearly saved his best for Newmarket, as he had earlier won the Craven Stakes and ended his career that autumn with victory in the Champion Stakes. Moonax The most unlikely of Hills' Classic winners was Moonax when he took the St Leger at odds of 40-1. In the expert hands of Pat Eddery, the enigmatic colt defeated none other than Broadway Flyer, trained by Hills' son, John, and ridden by another son, Michael. Moonax showed that victory was no fluke by following up in the French St Leger a month later. Rheingold The best horse Barry Hills ever trained came early in his career. Rheingold almost gave him a Derby triumph, but he was just touched off by Roberto in 1972. However, a year later the colt ran out an impressive winner of Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, beating the brilliant Allez France by two and a half lengths. Tap On Wood Hills' first major success at Newmarket came with Tap On Wood in the 1979 2000 Guineas, as he upstaged hot favourite Kris in the hands of Steve Cauthen. The young American had recently been enticed to Britain at the request of Robert Sangster and showed his prowess by driving Tap On Wood home by half a length.
